Flow generation unit, air treatment plant comprising said flow generation unit and use of the latter for air treatment

ABSTRACT

A flow generation unit has: an external casing having intake and delivery openings; an internal casing at least partly in the external casing and defining a chamber allowing fluid flow. The internal casing has a respective intake opening allowing air flow introduction in the chamber and a respective delivery opening allowing air flow emission. The internal casing intake and delivery openings are in fluid communication with each other by the chamber. They are also in fluid communication, in particular direct, with the external casing intake and delivery openings. The unit also has: a fan engaged with the internal casing and generating, within the chamber, an air flow directed from the internal casing intake opening to the delivery opening; a damping element at least partly made of elastomeric material placed as a direct interposition between the external and internal casing. The damping element supports the internal casing in the external casing.

FIELD OF THE FINDING

The object of the present invention is a flow generation unit, an air treatment plant comprising said flow generation unit and a use of the latter for the air treatment. The flow generation unit and the relative plant can have advantageous use in civil and industrial fields for ventilation, heating, air conditioning of use zones of a building (for example by means of introduction of cooled air, hot air and/or filtered/humidified air into the setting), such as for example an office, a laboratory, a room, a shed.

STATE OF THE ART

Air treatment systems are known—such as plants for heating, ventilation and conditioning—which are constituted by channels through which a suitable quantity of air is transferred that, starting from a ventilation system (for example a fan) and from a conditioning system (for example for air heating, cooling and/or humidification), is introduced to a use zone of a building.

The channels are constituted by one or more transport ducts generally made of sheet metal and adapted to serve air to one or more diffusers having the task of diffusing air in the building environment. The diffuser comprises a duct, made of metal material or of flexible material (for example fabric), generally having a section of circular type and a main extension along the axis thereof.

The known diffusers are configured for being engaged at a ceiling of a use zone of a building in a manner such that, during use conditions, the duct of each diffuser is extended horizontally and parallel to the ceiling.

The duct of the diffuser comprises a plurality of holes defined on a lateral wall; the holes allow the air that flows axially within the duct to radially exit from the latter and be diffused in the use zone. The diffuser represents the element of an air treatment plant housed directly in the use zone and adapted to diffuse air in the latter.

As described above, the air treatment plants comprise one or more ventilation systems (for example one or more fans) configured for generating an air flow, provided to the diffusers by means of one or more transport ducts.

The ventilation systems employed for generating the flow are by nature noisy: the ventilation systems must ensure the sending of a pre-established air mass at a certain speed and pressure in the transport ducts and consequently in the diffusers. The axial air flow generated and exiting from the fan generates a strong flow noise; a further flow noise is generated within the transport ducts for the passage of air within the latter and at the diffusers due to the emission of air from the distribution holes.

As is known, the fans, for the generation of the air flow, have components, for example an impeller, configured for rotating at high speed; such components generate a vibration of the entire ventilation system which is propagated on the support structure of the same system. Also the vibration of the ventilation system and the induced vibration that is developed on the auxiliary structures—such as for example a support frame of the fan or the same building within which the plant is installed—associated with said ventilation system generate vibration noise, also termed mechanical noise.

Flow noise and mechanical noise cause a strong sound pollution, which makes the known ventilation systems unsuitable for operating in the use zones. It is further indicated that the air treatment plants also comprise a conditioning unit—for example conditioners, heaters or coolers—adapted to generate a further flow and mechanical (vibrational) noise which causes an increase of the overall noise of the plant.

One solution known today for the air treatment plants provides for arranging the ventilation system in suitable distinct chambers that are separated from the use zone. In this manner, it is possible to considerably reduce the overall noise of the plant in the use zone, which will only be given by the flow noise caused by the passage of air into the transport ducts and by the expulsion of air of the diffusers. Such presently-known plants can further comprise, within the transport ducts, suitable silencers configured for reducing the flow noise of the air passing through such ducts.

Even if the above-described solution allows resolving the problem of excess noise in the use zone, the Applicant has indicated that such solution has considerable limitations and drawbacks.

A first problem is linked to the need to arrange, in a building, a suitable room (for example a machine room) in which the ventilation system of the treatment plant is housed. This need renders the abovementioned known plants little flexible in the use thereof, since they cannot be employed in buildings lacking rooms for housing only the ventilation system or in which, due to the limited space available, it is not possible to make/provide for such further room.

In addition, where it is possible to provide for a suitable machine room for arranging the ventilation system, it is necessary to pre-arrange long and complex air transport ducts for the connection of such system with the diffusers, active in the use zone; such condition renders the presently-known plants costly and hard to implement.

A further solution known today provides for making air treatment plants provided with a flow generation unit constituted by a single casing, within which at least one fan is arranged. The fan is directly fixed to the casing—for example to a panel or a frame of the casing—and is configured for generating and directing an air flow from an intake opening to a delivery opening of the casing. The generation unit of the flow is directly connected to one or more transport ducts: the fan of the flow generation unit provides an air flow to the diffusers by means of the transport ducts. The interior of the casing, in particular around the fan, is covered with rock wool capable of absorbing part of the axial flow noise generated by the fan. The presence of the casing allows reducing the flow noise of the fan and thus allows, contrary to the above-described first solution, positioning the flow generation unit directly in the use zone to be treated. In this manner, the generation unit allows making the air treatment plants as flexible as possible. Such plants—in this second described solution—can be installed in buildings lacking suitable machine rooms but above all within rooms with limited volume, for example a room, an office, a laboratory of a building. The generation unit also allows simplifying and rendering more compact the channel of the air treatment plants: the arrangement of the fan directly in the use zone allows using transport ducts with limited size.

Even if this second solution is certainly improved with respect to the above-described first solution, the Applicant has indicated that also the latter air treatment plants do not lack limitations and drawbacks. The generation unit is in fact subjected to strong vibrations, given by the presence of the fan within the casing, which cause a strong mechanical noise in the use zone; it is further indicated that the strong vibration of the flow generation unit is propagated on the transport ducts and/or diffusers directly connected to said unit with consequent increase of the mechanical noise in the use zone.

A further drawback is linked to the presence of the rock wool (absorbent element) within the generation unit which requires the installation, within the channel, of suitable air filters in order to prevent filaments (powders) of the rock wool from reaching the diffusers and thus being distributed in the use zone. The need to provide for an air filtering system renders the air treatment plants costly, more complex at the structural level and bulky.

OBJECT OF THE FINDING

Object of the present invention is therefore that of substantially resolving at least one of the drawbacks and/or limitations of the preceding solutions.

A first objective of the present invention is to provide a flow generation unit and a relative air treatment plant capable of allowing an optimal treatment of the settings where it operates. In particular, one object of the present invention is to provide a flow generation unit and a relative air treatment plant that is flexible in the use thereof, which can be employed for effectively treating settings both with limited volume and considerable volume.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a flow generation unit and a relative air treatment plant which are silent and which can thus be directly installed in the use zones, even with limited volume, without causing annoying noises.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a flow generation unit and a relative air treatment plants which can be easy to install, substitute and maintain.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a flow generation unit and a relative air treatment plant capable of generating, even in settings with limited volume, effective high-speed treatment flows without causing annoying ground currents.

One objective of the present invention is to provide a flow generation unit and a relative air treatment plant that can be easily and quickly made and in particular are obtainable with limited production costs. Another objective of the present invention is to provide a generation unit that is actuatable without requiring complex modifications to the conventional air treatment plants.

An additional objective of the present invention is to provide a flow generation unit and a relative air treatment plant which can allow greater design freedom, allowing optimal regulation of the same diffuser/plant even after completed installation. These and still other objects, which will be clearer from the following description, are substantially reached by a flow generation unit and a relative air treatment plant in accordance with that expressed in one or more of the enclosed claims and/or of the following aspects, taken separately or in any one combination with each other or in combination with any one of the enclosed claims and/or in combination with any one of the further aspects or characteristics described herein below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Several embodiments and some aspects of the finding will be described hereinbelow with reference to the enclosed drawings, provided only as a non-limiting example, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a flow generation unit in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are respective explosion views of a flow generation unit in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a detailed sectional view of a flow generation unit in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is perspective view of an air treatment plant in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of an air treatment plant in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a further air treatment plant in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a flow generation unit in one variant in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a cross section view of the unit of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal section view of the unit of FIG. 8; and

FIG. 11 shows a detail of the damping elements used in the embodiment of FIG. 8.

DEFINITIONS AND CONVENTIONS

It is indicated that in the present detailed description, corresponding parts illustrated in the various figures are indicated with the same reference numbers. Figures could illustrate the object of the invention by means of representations that are not in scale; therefore, parts and components illustrated in the figures relative to the object of the invention could exclusively regard schematic representations. In the following description and in the claims, the terms upstream and downstream refer to an advancing trajectory of the air flow formed by a ventilation system (e.g. a fan) within a flow generation unit and directed from at least one intake opening to a delivery opening of the same flow generation unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Flow Generation Unit

Reference number 1 overall indicates a flow generation unit employable in civil and industrial fields for ventilation, heating, air conditioning of at least one use zone of a building such as for example a room, an office, a laboratory, a room, a shed.

As is visible in the enclosed figures, the unit 1 comprises an external casing 2 defining a channel for the passage of the air having at least one intake opening 2 a and at least one delivery opening 2 b respectively configured for allowing the introduction and the emission of an air flow through the external casing 2 (through the channel). Illustrated in a non-limiting manner in the enclosed figures is a configuration of the external casing 2 defining a channel having only one delivery opening and only one intake opening; it is also possible to make a channel having a plurality of delivery openings and/or a plurality of intake openings.

In the enclosed figures, a preferred but non-limiting embodiment of the invention is illustrated in which the external casing 2 comprises a lateral wall 12 extended between a first end portion 12 a and a second end portion 12 b: the lateral wall defines the through channel open at the end portions 12 a, 12 b.

In detail, the intake opening 2 a of the external casing 2 is defined at the first end portion 12 a while the delivery opening 2 b is defined at the second end portion 12 b. As is for example illustrated in FIG. 1, the lateral wall 12 of the external casing 2 has, at the first end portion 12 a, a free edge delimiting the intake opening 2 a: the free edge delimiting said intake opening represents an axial free edge of the duct defining the casing 2. The lateral wall 12 of the external casing 2 has at the second end portion 12 b, or on the side opposite the first end portion 2 a, a free edge delimiting the delivery opening 2 b: also said free edge delimiting the delivery opening represents a free axial edge of the duct defining the casing 2. The intake opening and delivery opening actually represent axial openings of the external casing 2 defining said through channel for the passage of the air; the intake opening and delivery opening are axially opposite and facing each other.

As is visible for example in FIGS. 1 and 3, the lateral wall 12 defines a channel for the passage of an air flow extended between the free edge delimiting the delivery opening 2 d of the external casing and the free edge delimiting the intake opening 2 a of the external casing. The external casing 2 is extended between said intake and delivery openings along a pre-established longitudinal main extension trajectory; in a non-limiting manner, said external casing 2 has a length measured along said pre-established longitudinal trajectory greater than a maximum width measured orthogonal to said pre-established trajectory.

In the enclosed figures, embodiments have been illustrated of the flow generation unit 1 in which the casing 2 is extended along a main axial extension direction (rectilinear direction).

The external casing 2 and in particular the lateral wall 12 has, according to a section orthogonal to the extension trajectory of the same external casing 2, a shape of polygonal type, in particular rectangular or square (see FIGS. 1 to 7). However, FIGS. 8-11 show an embodiment with circular section. It is possible to attain other section shapes for the channel, for example semi-circular or circular sector.

Advantageously but not exclusively, the lateral wall 12 of the external casing 2 has, along the entire extension trajectory of the external casing 2 starting from the first end portion 12 a up to the second end portion 12 b, a substantially constant shape with regard to shape and size, in particular polygonal or circular.

As schematized in FIG. 3 or 8, the external casing 2 at its interior defines a housing space 7 which is delimited by an internal surface 8 of the same external casing 2. Advantageously, the internal surface 8 of the casing 2 has—along the axial entire extension of the external casing 2 and transverse to the pre-established longitudinal trajectory—a substantially constant shape with regard to shape and size.

As is visible for example in FIGS. 1 and 3, the external casing 2 comprises at least one auxiliary through opening 13, separated and distinct from the intake opening 2 a and delivery opening 2 b, defined on the lateral wall 12; the auxiliary through opening 13 of the lateral wall 12 is delimited by a closed perimeter edge having, in a non-limiting manner, polygonal shape, optionally rectangular or square shape.

As is visible for example in FIGS. 1 and 3, the external casing 2 also comprises at least one closure element 14 engaged at said auxiliary opening 13 and configurable at least between:

-   -   a closed position in which the same closure element 14 is         configured for preventing the communication through the         auxiliary through opening 13 between an internal volume, in         particular the housing space 7, of the external casing 2 and the         outside environment,     -   an open position in which the same closure element 14 is         configured for allowing the communication through the auxiliary         through opening 13 between the internal volume, in particular         the housing space 7, of the casing 2 and the outside         environment.

The closure element 14 is advantageously removably engaged with the lateral wall of the external casing 2; in particular, the closure element 14, in the open position, is separated from the lateral wall 12 of the external casing 2. However, in the closed position, the element 14 is abutted against the entire free edge of the auxiliary through opening 13 in order to obstruct the latter.

The closure element 14 comprises a door of blind type, optionally lacking through openings (see for example FIG. 3), substantially counter-shaped with respect to the auxiliary opening in a manner such that, in the closed condition, the element 14 can totally close the auxiliary opening 13.

As is visible in FIG. 1, in the condition in which the element 14 is in the closed position, the external casing 2 only has two axial accesses defined by the intake opening 2 a and delivery opening 2 b.

Otherwise, FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment in which the external casing is received within the external channel via axial insertion.

In the enclosed FIGS. 1-7, a preferred but non-limiting embodiment of the invention was illustrated, in which the external casing 2 comprises a support frame 15 essentially defining the “skeleton” of the casing 2 with which at least one panel 16 is engaged; the frame 15 essentially represent the load-bearing structure of the casing 2 with which one or more panels 16 are associated, such panels adapted to define the lateral wall 12 of the casing 2. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the panel 16 is made of sound absorbent material, in particular the panel is a panel of sound absorbent type.

In the enclosed figures, a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in which the casing 2 has box-like shape; in such configuration each side of the lateral wall 12 of the casing 2 is defined by a panel sound absorbent: the casing 2 thus comprises a plurality of sound absorbent panels 16 defining sides of the lateral wall 12.

Alternatively, the external casing can be directly defined by a channel section; FIG. 8 illustrates such condition in which a channel with circular shape is provided. Clearly, the use of a channel with rectangular or square section, totally defined by metal material in bent panel (i.e. without box-like frame structure like that of FIG. 1), can be equally provided.

As is visible for example in FIGS. 1-3 and 8, the flow generation unit 1 also comprises an internal casing 3 at least partly housed in the external casing 2. The internal casing 3 at its interior defines a chamber 4 configured for allowing the passage of a fluid flow. As with the external casing 2, the internal casing 3 comprises at least one intake opening 3 a and at least one delivery opening 3 b respectively configured for allowing the introduction and the emission of an air flow into/from the chamber 4 (through the internal casing 3); the intake opening 3 a and the delivery opening 3 b of the internal casing 3 are in fluid communication with each other by means of said chamber 4: the intake opening 3 a and the delivery opening 3 b of the internal casing 3 are respectively in fluid communication, in particular direct, with the intake opening 2 a and the delivery opening 2 b of the external casing 2. In fact, during use conditions of the unit 1, the air flow that can be generated by the same passes through the intake opening 2 a of the external casing 2 and in an immediately consecutive instant passes through the intake opening 3 a of the internal casing 3; the fluid flow is configured for continuing along an advancing direction within the chamber up to reaching the delivery opening 3 b of the internal casing 3: in an immediately consecutive instant, the fluid flow also traverses the delivery opening 2 b of the external casing 2 in order to then exit outward from the unit 1.

In the enclosed figures, a preferred but non-limiting embodiment of the invention is illustrated, in which the internal casing 3 only comprises a lateral wall 17 extended between a first end portion 17 a and a second end portion 17 b: the lateral wall 17 essentially defines an open through duct extended between said end portions 17 a, 17 b. The lateral wall 17 lacks through openings: the internal casing 3 only has said intake and delivery openings. FIG. 1 shows a structure with rectangular section, FIG. 8 a circular section.

The internal casing 3 is housed in the external casing 2 in a manner such that the first and the second end portion 17 a, 17 b of the lateral wall 17 of the internal casing 3 respectively face the first and second end portion 12 a, 12 b of the lateral wall 12 of the casing 2; in particular, the first end portion 17 a of the lateral wall 17 of the internal casing 3 is placed at the first end portion 12 a of the lateral wall 12 of the external casing 2.

The intake opening 3 a of said internal casing 3 is defined at said first end portion 17 a while the delivery opening 3 b of said internal casing 3 is defined at said second end portion 17 b (see for example FIG. 7). The lateral wall 17 of the internal casing 3 has, at the first end portion 17 a, a free edge delimiting the intake opening 3 a: the free edge delimiting said intake opening 3 a represents a free axial edge of the duct defining the casing 3. The lateral wall 17 of the internal casing 3 has at the second end portion 17 b, or on the side opposite the first end portion 3 a, a free edge delimiting the delivery opening 3 b: also said free edge delimiting the delivery opening 3 b represents a free axial edge of the duct (channel) defining the casing 3.

The intake opening and delivery opening 3 a, 3 b actually represent axial openings of the internal casing 3 defining said through duct for the passage of the air; the intake opening and delivery opening are axially opposite and facing each other. As is visible for example in FIG. 7, the lateral wall 17 defines a duct for the passage of an air flow extended between the free edge delimiting the delivery opening 3 d and the free edge delimiting the intake opening 3 a. The internal casing 3 is extended between said intake and delivery openings along a pre-established axial direction. With regard to geometry, the internal casing 3 is at least partly counter-shaped with respect to the external casing 2; in particular, the lateral wall 17 of the internal casing 3 is substantially counter-shaped with respect to the lateral wall 12 of the external casing 2.

As is for example visible in FIG. 3, the internal casing 3 and in particular the lateral wall 17 has, according to a section orthogonal to the axial extension direction (direction defined between the end portions 17 a and 17 b of the lateral wall) of said internal casing 3, a shape of polygonal type, in particular rectangular or square. Advantageously but not exclusively, the lateral wall 17 of the internal casing 3 has, along the entire axial direction of the internal casing 3 starting from the first end portion 17 a up to the second end portion 17 b, a substantially constant shape with regard to shape and size, in particular polygonal.

FIG. 8 instead shows an external casing with cylindrical circular nature.

As schematized in FIGS. 4 and 9, the internal casing 3 is externally delimited by an external surface 9. Advantageously, the external surface 9 of the internal casing 3 has—along the entire axial extension of the casing 3 and transverse to the axial extension direction—a substantially constant shape with regard to shape and size. In more detail, it is the surface 9 of external delimitation of the casing 3 that is substantially counter-shaped with respect to the internal surface 8 of the casing 3: the external surface 9 is at least partly facing internal surface 8 of the external casing 2. The external surface 9 of the internal casing 3 is nevertheless spaced from the internal surface 8 of the external casing 2: the surfaces 8 and 9 are not in direct contact with each other and define an interspace 10 visible for example in FIGS. 4 and 9. The engagement between the internal casing and external casing will be better detailed hereinbelow.

In the enclosed figures, two preferred but non-limiting embodiments of the invention are illustrated, a first with cylindrical internal casing (FIG. 8) and a second in which the internal casing 3 comprises a support frame 18 essentially defining the “skeleton” of the casing 3 with which at least one panel 18 is engaged; the frame 18 essentially represents the load-bearing structure of the casing 3 with which one or more panels are associated, which are adapted to define the lateral wall 17 of the casing 3. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the panel 19 is made of sound absorbent material, in particular the panel is a panel of sound absorbent type.

In the enclosed figures, a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in which the casing 3 has box-like shape; in such configuration, each side of the lateral wall 17 of the casing 3 is defined by a sound absorbent panel: the casing 3 then comprises a plurality of sound absorbent panels 19 defining sides of the lateral wall 17.

In relation to the embodiment pursuant to FIGS. 8-11, the external casing 2 has double circular wall such that it can house a suitable sound absorbent material, such as rock wool or the like.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the internal casing 3 is removably engaged with the external casing 2. In fact, the internal casing 3 is movable relative to the external casing 2 and is configured for being at least partly extracted, in particular totally extracted, from the external casing 2, for example through the auxiliary through opening 13 in the condition in which closure element 14 is in the open position. In more detail, and in a preferred configuration of the invention (FIG. 1-7), the casing has a shape and size such that it can be inserted in the external casing 2 only through the auxiliary through opening 13, in the open position of the closure element 14: the internal casing 3 is not insertable in the external casing 2 through the intake and delivery openings 2 a, 2 b of the latter. As is visible for example in the enclosed FIGS. 1, 3, 4, 7-11, the flow generation unit 1 comprises at least one damping element 6 configured for insulating the external casing from the internal casing; on such matter, the damping element can be at least partly made of elastomeric material placed as a direct interposition between the external casing 2 and the internal casing 3: the damping element 6 is configured for supporting the internal casing 3 in the external casing 2. Indeed, the damping element 6 represents the engagement element (in particular substantially the only connection element) between the internal casing 3 and the external casing 2: the internal casing 3 is removably engaged with the external casing 2 via exclusive interposition of the damping element 6.

The object of the damping element is that of substantially preventing or at least limiting as much as possible the contact between metal elements of the internal casing and metal elements of the external casing and, consequently, limiting the transmission of vibrations and radial noise generated by the fan.

In a first configuration of the invention, the damping element 6 is stably constrained in the external casing 2 and receives the internal casing 3 in abutment: the damping element 6 is a body separate from the external casing 2, in particular said damping element 6 is not integral with the external casing 2.

In a second configuration of the invention, the damping element 6 is stably constrained with the internal casing 3 and is abutted via contact against the external casing 2: the damping element 6 is a body separate from the internal casing, in particular said damping element 6 is not integral with the internal casing 3.

In a third configuration of the invention, the damping element 6 is stably engaged both with the external casing 2 and with the internal casing 2; in each case, the damping element 6 is a body separate from said casings 2, 3, i.e. it is not integral with the latter (the same is however engaged with both casings when the entire device is assembled).

In the above-described first and second configurations, the damping element 6 is stably constrained to only one of the casings; in such configuration the internal casing 3 can be extracted from the external casing. However, if the damping element 6 is firmly engaged with the casings 2, 3, the internal casing 3 might not be able to be extracted from the external casing 2.

As is visible in detail of FIG. 4, the damping element 6 is on one side in contact with at least part of the internal surface 8 of the external casing 2 and, on an opposite side, in contact with at least part of the external surface 9 of the internal casing 3: the external surface 9 of the internal casing 3 is spaced from the internal surface 8 of the external casing 2 by means of the damping element 6.

Still by observing FIG. 4, it can be noted that the damping element 6 defines and is housed within the interspace 10 between the surfaces 8 and 9 respectively of the casings 2 and 3. Indeed, due to the damping element 6, the external casing 2 and the internal casing 2 are not in direct contact with each other: said external casing 2 and internal casing 3 are only connected to each other via direct interposition of the damping element 6.

With regard to structure, the damping element 6 comprises a section having substantially “L” shape. As described above, the internal casing and external casing have, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, a box-like shape; in such configuration, the damping element 6 comprises a plurality of damping bodies 6 a distinct and separate from each other: each damping body 6 a is in contact with a corner portion of the internal casing 3 and in particular is interposed between corner portions respectively facing the external casing 2 and internal casing 3.

By observing instead FIG. 9 and also the detail of FIG. 11, in this case, the damping element is defined by multiple anti-vibrating elements 30 packed together by means of fixing means 31.

By observing the detail of FIG. 11, it is observed that the wall portion of the internal casing 3 is not in contact with the wall portion of the external casing 2, i.e. the metal parts defining the respective walls are spaced and insulated from each other.

In detail, two anti-vibrating elements 30 pack the wall of the internal casing 3 and two anti-vibrating elements 30 pack the wall of the external casing 2 (the fixing means generating the necessary packing forces).

In this manner, the vibrations that are generated on the internal casing due to the presence of the fan are not transmitted (if not minimally or in any case damped) to the external casing.

By observing FIG. 8, it is noted that actually the internal casing 3 is ‘suspended’ within the external casing 2 due to the single damping elements 6. This allows an optimal attenuation of the noise.

With regard to the material, the damping element 6 which insulates the external casing from the internal casing can be made of different materials, such as for example cork, rock wool, elastomeric materials; in one embodiment, it is completely made of elastomeric material; in particular, the damping element 6 is at least partly made of at least one selected from the group between: natural rubber or synthetic rubber.

As is visible for example in FIGS. 2, 3, 6 and 7, the flow generation unit 1 also comprises at least one fan 5 engaged with the internal casing 3 and configured for generating, within said chamber 4, an air flow directed from the intake opening 3 a to the delivery opening 3 b of the internal casing 3 and then from the intake opening 2 a to the delivery opening 2 b of the external casing 2.

Advantageously, the fan 5 is only fixed to the internal casing 3; the fan 5 is not directly engaged with the external casing 2. In more detail, the fan 5 is fixed directly to the support frame 18 and/or to one or more panels 19 of the internal casing 3. Advantageously but not exclusively, the fan 5 is at least partly, optionally entirely, housed in the chamber 4 of the internal casing 3.

In a preferred but non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the fan 5 is a fan of centrifugal type, in particular a high-speed centrifugal brushless fan. By high-speed fan it is intended as adapted to operate at a rotation speed higher than 1000 revolutions/minute, in particular higher than 2000 revolutions/minute. In FIG. 7, an embodiment of the generation unit 1 is illustrated, comprising a plurality of fans 5 only constrained to the internal casing 3. In FIG. 7, a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in which, if it has a plurality of fans, these are constrained to each other by means of a support frame: the support frame mechanically couples the fans 5. In this case, it is the support frame which is directly and exclusively constrained to the internal casing 3.

As is visible in the enclosed figures, the flow generation unit 1 can further comprise an axial silencer 20, in particular an axial silencer with partitions 20, at least partly housed, optionally entirely housed, in the external casing 3. In the enclosed figures, a preferred but non-limiting embodiment of the invention is illustrated in which the axial silencer is placed outside the chamber 4 but axially side-by-side the internal casing 3; in more detail, internal casing 3 and silencer 20 are placed immediately after each other with respect to the axial extension direction of the external casing 2. The internal casing 3 is placed at the intake opening while the axial silencer 20 is placed at the delivery opening.

Advantageously, the flow generation unit 1 can further comprise a sound insulation element (not illustrated in the enclosed figures) housed in the external casing 2 between the latter and the internal casing 3. In particular, the sound insulation element can be interposed between the lateral wall 12 of the external casing 2 and the lateral wall 17 of the internal casing 3: the sound insulation element covers at least part of the external surface 9 of the internal casing 3 in order to acoustically insulate the fan 5 (or the plurality of fans 5) placed in the chamber 4 and engaged only with the internal casing 3.

In an embodiment of the invention, the sound insulation element comprises a body at least partly made of rock wool; advantageously the rock wool is employed for totally filling the interspace 10, between the internal 8 and external 9 surfaces, created by the damping element 6.

Air Treatment Plant

Also forming the object of the present invention is an air treatment plant 100 comprising a flow generation unit 1 in accordance with the above-reported description and/or in accordance with any one of the enclosed claims.

As is for example visible in FIGS. 5-7, the plant 100 can comprise a silencer duct 101 connected, in particular in a direct manner, with the flow generation unit 1 and in fluid communication with the latter. In particular, the silencer duct 101 is directly connected with the intake mouth 2 a of the external casing 2 of the flow generation unit 1 in a manner such to be able to silence the fluid flow entering the flow generation unit 1. The duct 101 thus represents an axial flow silencer. With regard to the structure, the silencer duct 101 comprises a channel 101 a (see FIGS. 5-7) within which an axial silencer 101 b (see FIGS. 6 and 7), in particular an axial flow silencer with partitions, is housed.

As is for example visible in FIG. 5, the internal casing 3—within which a pre-established number of fans 5 is housed—is thus interposed between the axial silencer 20 of the generation unit and the axial silencer 101 b of the duct 101. In this manner, the air flow entering and exiting the generation unit 1 is silenced, on one side by the silencer 20 and on the other side by the silencer 101 b.

In FIG. 7, an embodiment of the invention is illustrated in which, within the channel 101 a of the silencer duct 101, an air conditioning module 106 is housed which can comprise at least one selected from among the following air treatment systems: cooling, heating, humidification. Advantageously, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the axial silencer 101 b is axially interposed between the conditioning module 106 and the flow generation unit 1.

As is visible in FIG. 6, the plant 100 comprises at least one air diffuser 104 in fluid communication with the flow generation unit 1: the diffuser 104 is configured for receiving an air flow from the flow generation unit and diffusing air into a use zone. The diffuser 104, of known type, can be of high-induction type, i.e. capable of emitting air at high speed into the setting to be treated, moving a great mass of ambient air without creating annoying ground currents. In the so-called high-induction diffusers, the air exiting from the diffusion holes draws, via inductive effect, the air of the setting surrounding the diffuser, moving it towards the zone to be conditioned and mixing it with the air exiting from the diffuser itself; in general, a succession of flows and/or micro-vortices are created which, generating turbulences, facilitate the mixing of the air introduced into the use zone with the air already present in the same, making the temperature uniform.

The diffuser 104 can be directly connected to the flow generation unit 1 or it can be connected to the latter by means of one or more air transport ducts 105, as schematically illustrated in FIG. 6.

In FIGS. 5-7, possible configurations of the plant 100 are illustrated. Such plant can be provided with at least one air intake module 103 of known type (FIGS. 6 and 7) directly engageable with the flow generation unit 1 upstream of the latter, with respect to an advancing sense of the air flow within the plant 100. FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a preferred but non-limiting embodiment of the invention in which the module 103 is directly engaged with the silencer duct 101: such duct is then interposed between the flow generation unit 1 and the air intake module 103.

The plant can also comprise at least one air distribution module 102 of known type placed downstream of the flow generation unit 1, with respect to an advancing sense of the air flow within the plant 100. Generally, the distribution module is interposed between the generation unit 1 and the diffuser 104, in particular the plurality of diffusers 104. The distribution module 102 comprises a channel having one or more outlet mouths 102 b (FIG. 5); within the channel, a flow deflector 102 a is housed which is configured for directing the air flow arriving from the flow generation unit towards the outlet mouths 102 b.

In the enclosed figures, different configurations of the plant 100 are illustrated; in one embodiment not illustrated in the enclosed figures, the plant 100 may only comprise a silencer duct 101, the flow generation unit 1 and one or more diffusers 104.

Use of the Generation Unit

Also forming the object of the present invention is a use of the flow generation unit 1 in accordance with the above-reported description and/or in accordance with any one of the enclosed claims for the air treatment of a use zone of a building, in particular at least one of the following zones: a room, a laboratory, an office, a shed.

For example, the air treatment step can comprise at least one selected from the group from among the following steps: conditioning, ventilation, humidification, heating.

During use, the flow generation unit 1 is configured for being placed directly within the use zone to be treated and in particular constrained to the ceiling of a building. Advantageously, during use, the flow generation unit 1 is placed within a use zone (a room, a laboratory, an office, a shed) in which at least one diffuser 104 is present for the distribution of the air—generated by the same unit 1—in said same use zone.

ADVANTAGES OF THE FINDING

The present invention allows obtaining important advantages. Indeed, the structure with double casing (external casing 2 and internal casing 3) allows stably constraining, within the chamber 4 of the internal casing 3, one or more fans 5; in this manner, due to presence of the chamber 4, it is possible to reduce the propagation of the noise to the outside and hence render the flow generation unit more silent than the known systems.

It is also indicated that the structure with double casing allows arranging a sound insulation element between the internal casing and external casing, without such insulation element contacting the fluid flow; for example, as described above, it is possible to insert the rock wool within the interspace 10 so as to further soundproof the fans 5 within the casing, in order to reduce the propagation of the noise in the environment.

A further advantage is linked to the direct and exclusive constraint of the fan 5 to the internal casing 3, which is supported in the external casing by means of the damping element 6: the damping element reduces to a minimum, even completely damps, the vibrations generated by the fan 5 which are not propagated on the external casing 2 and hence on the entire structure. In this manner it is possible to reduce to a minimum, even completely eliminate, the vibration noise (mechanical noise) generatable by the fans 4.

It is also indicated that the structure with sound absorbent panels of the internal casing 3 and/or external casing 2 allows further improving the acoustic soundproofing of the noise generated by the fan. The above-described flow generation unit 1 hence defines an optimally soundproofed ventilation system with regard to axial flow noise, capable of reducing to a minimum, even eliminating, possible vibration noises producible by the movable components (for example the fan) of the same unit 1. 

1. Flow generation unit for air treatment plants, said flow generation unit comprising: an external casing comprising: at least one intake opening configured for allowing the introduction of an air flow in said external casing, at least one delivery opening configured for allowing the emission of an air flow from said external casing, an internal casing at least partly housed in the external casing, said internal casing defining a chamber configured for allowing the passage of a fluid flow, said internal casing comprising: at least one respective intake opening configured for allowing the introduction of an air flow in said chamber, at least one respective delivery opening configured for allowing the emission of an air flow from said chamber, the intake opening and the delivery opening of the internal casing being in fluid communication with each other by means of said chamber, the intake opening and the delivery opening of the internal casing being respectively in fluid communication with the intake opening and the delivery opening of the external casing; at least one fan engaged with the internal casing and configured for generating, within said chamber, an air flow directed from the intake opening to the delivery opening of the internal casing and then from the intake opening to the delivery opening of the external casing; at least one damping element, at least partly made of elastomeric material, placed as a direct interposition between the external casing and the internal casing, said damping element supporting the internal casing in the external casing.
 2. Flow generation unit for air treatment plants, said flow generation unit comprising: an external casing defining a housing space at its interior which is delimited by an internal surface and comprising: an intake opening configured for allowing the introduction of an air flow in said external casing, a delivery opening configured for allowing the emission of an air flow from said external casing, an internal casing housed in the external casing and externally delimited by an external surface at least partly facing the internal surface of the external casing, said internal casing defining a chamber configured for allowing the passage of a fluid flow, said internal casing comprising: a respective intake opening for allowing the introduction of an air flow in said chamber, a respective delivery opening for allowing the emission of an air flow from said chamber, the intake opening and the delivery opening of the internal casing being in fluid communication with each other by means of said chamber, the intake opening and the delivery opening of the internal casing being respectively in fluid communication with the intake opening and the delivery opening of the external casing; at least one fan engaged with the internal casing, interposed between the intake opening and the delivery opening, and configured for generating, within said chamber, an air flow directed from the intake opening to the delivery opening of the internal casing and then from the intake opening to the delivery opening of the external casing; at least one damping element, at least partly made of material adapted to reduce the transmission of vibrations, placed as a direct interposition between the external casing and the internal casing, said damping element supporting the internal casing in the external casing.
 3. Unit according to claim 2, wherein the internal casing is removably engaged with the external casing substantially via exclusive interposition of the damping element, the damping element being intended to avoid contacts between metal portions of the internal casing and metal portions of the external casing.
 4. Unit according to claim 2, wherein the damping element is alternately: stably constrained in the external casing and receives in abutment the internal casing, said damping element being a body separate from the external casing, not integral with the external casing; stably constrained with the internal casing and abutted via contact against the external casing, said damping element being a body separate from the internal casing, not being integral with the internal casing.
 5. Unit according to claim 2, wherein the external casing defines a housing space at its interior which is delimited by an internal surface of the same external casing, wherein the internal casing is externally delimited by an external surface at least partly facing the internal surface of the external casing, the damping element being in contact, on one side, with at least part of the internal surface of the external casing and, on the opposite side, with at least part of the external surface of the internal casing, the external surface of the internal casing is spaced from the internal surface of the external casing by means of the damping element, wherein between the internal surface of the external casing and the external surface of the internal casing an interspace is defined within which the damping element is housed.
 6. Unit according to claim 2, wherein the damping element is completely made of elastomeric material, natural rubber, or synthetic rubber.
 7. Unit according to claim 2, wherein the external casing is extended along a main axial extension direction and comprises a lateral wall axially extended between a first end portion and a second end portion, wherein the intake opening of said external casing is defined at said first end portion while the delivery opening of said external casing is defined at said second end portion, wherein the lateral wall of the external casing has, at the first end portion, a free edge delimiting the intake opening of said external casing and at the second end portion a free edge delimiting the delivery opening of said external casing, and wherein said lateral wall defines a channel for the passage of an air flow extended between the free edge delimiting the delivery opening of the external casing and the free edge delimiting the intake opening of the external casing.
 8. Unit according to claim 5, wherein the external casing is extended along a pre-established longitudinal trajectory, the internal surface of the external casing having—along the entire extension of the external casing and transverse to the pre-established longitudinal trajectory—a substantially constant shape with regard to shape and size, wherein the external casing has, according to a section orthogonal to an extension trajectory of said external casing, a shape of polygonal type, or a circular or semi-circular shape.
 9. Unit according to claim 7, wherein the external casing comprises: at least one auxiliary through opening, separate and distinct from the intake opening and delivery opening of the external casing, defined on the lateral wall, at least one closure element removably engaged at said auxiliary opening and configurable at least between: a closed position wherein the same closure element is configured for preventing the communication through the auxiliary through opening between an internal volume of the external casing and the outside environment, an open position wherein the same closure element is configured for allowing the communication through the auxiliary through opening between the internal volume of the casing and the outside environment, wherein the internal casing is movable relative to the external casing and is configured for being at least partly extracted from the external casing through said auxiliary through opening in the condition in which the closure element is in the open position, and wherein the internal casing is configured for being inserted in the external casing only through the auxiliary through opening, in the open position of the closure element.
 10. Unit according to claim 9, wherein the closure element, in the open position, is separated from the lateral wall of the external casing, and wherein the auxiliary through opening of the lateral wall of the external casing is delimited by a closed perimeter edge, the closure element, in the closed position, being abutted against the entire free edge of the auxiliary through opening in order to obstruct the latter.
 11. Unit according to claim 7, wherein the external casing comprises a support frame, and at least one panel associated with said support frame, the internal casing comprising a lateral wall axially extended between a first end portion and a second end portion, said lateral wall of the internal casing delimiting the chamber, wherein the intake opening of said internal casing is defined at said first end portion of the lateral wall of the internal casing, the delivery opening of said internal casing being defined at said second end portion of the lateral wall of the internal casing, the first and the second end portion of the lateral wall of the internal casing respectively face the first and second end portion of the lateral wall of the external casing, wherein the first end portion of the lateral wall of the internal casing is placed at the first end portion of the lateral wall of the external casing, wherein the lateral wall of the internal casing has, at the first end portion of said lateral wall, a free edge delimiting the intake opening of said internal casing, and wherein the lateral wall of the internal casing has, at the second end portion of said lateral wall, a free edge delimiting the delivery opening of said internal casing, said lateral wall of the internal casing defining a channel for the passage of an air flow extended between the free edge delimiting the delivery opening of the internal casing and the free edge delimiting the intake opening of the internal casing.
 12. Unit according to claim 2, wherein the internal casing is extended along a pre-established longitudinal trajectory, the external surface of the internal casing having—along the entire extension of the internal casing and transverse to the pre-established longitudinal trajectory—a substantially constant shape with regard to shape and size, wherein the internal casing is at least partly counter-shaped with respect to the external casing.
 13. Unit according to claim 2, wherein the internal casing has, according to a section orthogonal to an extension trajectory of said internal casing, a shape of rectangular or square type and wherein the lateral wall of the internal casing is substantially counter-shaped with respect to the lateral wall of the external casing.
 14. Unit according to claim 2, wherein the internal casing comprises a support frame, and at least one panel associated with said support frame, wherein the fan is a centrifugal fan, is fixed directly to the support frame and/or to said at least one panel of the internal casing, and is entirely housed in the chamber of the internal casing.
 15. Unit according to claim 2, comprising a plurality of fans only constrained to the internal casing.
 16. Unit according to claim 2, the at least one damping element comprises a plurality of damping bodies distinct and separate from each other, wherein each damping element comprises a section having substantially “L” shape, and wherein each damping body is in contact with a corner portion of the internal casing.
 17. Unit according to claim 2, comprising at least one axial silencer with partitions, housed in the external casing, the axial silencer being placed outside the chamber of the internal casing and aligned with the internal casing according to an axial extension direction of the external casing.
 18. Unit according to claim 2, comprising a sound insulation element, having a body at least partly made of rock wool, interposed between the lateral wall of the external casing and the lateral wall of the internal casing, wherein the sound insulation element covers the lateral wall of the internal casing.
 19. Unit according to claim 11, wherein each panel of the external casing is made of sound absorbent material, and wherein the internal casing comprises a support frame, and at least one panel associated with said support frame, each panel of the internal casing being at least partly made of sound absorbent material. 